Robshaw retains England captaincy

Chris Robshaw will lead England in their RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland

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Chris Robshaw has set his sights on making a winning start to England's 2013 RBS 6 Nations campaign after he was re-appointed captain for this year's competition.

Robshaw was handed the captaincy 12 months ago and led England to second in last season's tournament, thanks to victories over Scotland, Italy, France and Ireland.

The 26-year-old maintained the captaincy for the summer tour to South Africa - although an injury meant Dylan Hartley stood in for the third Test - and Robshaw was again selected by Stuart Lancaster to be skipper throughout the autumn internationals, culminating in victory over New Zealand.

And Robshaw is eager to continue England's winning momentum, starting with their Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Twickenham on February 2.

"Stuart [Lancaster] told me and I am really pleased to be asked again," he said.

"There are other leaders in the squad that Stuart could have turned to so I am really honoured.

"The lads have been great over the last year and now we our focus is on building on the New Zealand performance and getting a result against Scotland."

Lancaster added: "Chris stepped into the role 12 months ago, when we were building a new team, and he has grown as a leader on and off the field.

"He showed those leadership qualities during the QBE Internationals, and especially against the All Blacks when the whole squad got behind him.

"We have a number of leaders and I know they will all take this team forwards with Chris as we look to kick on from that result."

Meanwhile, second row Tom Palmer is almost certain to miss the RBS 6 Nations after his club Wasps revealed he will be out of action for eight weeks with a calf problem.

Palmer was selected in the Saxons squad with club-mate Joe Launchbury getting the nod in the seniors but while he would have been on stand-by for the tournament, he will now undergo surgery.

Ireland Women's skipper Niamh Briggs is still relishing her role as skipper in this year's Women's Six Nations, and insists the new blood brought in for the Championship has given her team a new lease of life.